Position: Defender
Age: 29
Key Stat: 91.1% — Percentage of NYCFC's 2024 MLS minutes played by Thiago, his highest minutes played percentage in three MLS seasons.
Thiago Martins enters 2025 expected to remain a steady, solid presence in the middle of the New York City FC defense, but a few questions hang over what will be the center-back's fourth season with the team.
As the highest-paid NYCFC player and the second-highest-paid defender in Major League Soccer, expectations are always high for the 29-year-old Brazilian.
He lived up to them during the 2024 season, growing into a leader of this young, rebuilt roster while wearing the captain’s armband for the bulk of NYCFC’s matches (while never, formally, officially, being named Captain).
Last year saw Thiago Martins play his most competitive minutes – 3,600 across all competitions – since the 2018 season, when he was 22 years old and split time with both Palmeiras from his native Brazil, and Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan, the team for which he’s still made the most career appearances (118 with Yokohama, 106 with NYCFC).
His 2024 also included a selection to the MLS All-Star team, a first competitive goal for New York City in a crucial home playoff win, and very few mistakes made either while defending or in possession with the ball at his feet.
In 2025, Thiago turns 30 and is in the final guaranteed year of the Designated Player contract he signed to join NYCFC in February 2022, though there’s an option to extend his stay through 2026.
Is it nearing the end of his time leading the New York City defense, or will he continue to excel in the role of veteran defensive anchor in the middle of the backline in 2025 and beyond?
